Orange Poppy Seed Loaf

This orange poppy seed loaf is proof that baking at home can stay simple and still feel special. It comes together with everyday ingredients and works just as well for breakfast as it does for a snack or low-key dessert. It's bright, moist, full of citrus flavor, and is easily one of those loaves you'll want to keep in a regular rotation.

If you're anything like me, you love a delicious breakfast bread in the morning. We're talking moist and delicious flavors like my moist lemon blueberry bread or a sour-cream chocolate chip loaf. There's something nostalgic about slicing into a warm, fresh baked loaf cake in the morning to sip with your cup of coffee, or a classic espresso martini perhaps? We don't judge.

Trusted Tips and Key Reminders

1. Do NOT Over Mix - Over mixing will cause the results to be overworked, chewy, gummy, and not airy. Switch to using a spatula when it comes time to fold in the flour and the other dry ingredients.
2. Use a Scale - In my years of learning from trials and recipe development, I've come to lean heavily on my kitchen scale. I love my Zwilling scale, but you can always buy another kind. When it comes to baking, having precise measurements helps the texture, taste, structure, and mouthfeel stay consistent every time you bake.
3. Marry the Zest and Sugar - Take your fingertips and rub the orange zest with the sugar. This helps to bring out all those luscious oils from the fruit and gives the entire loaf a robust flavor. Plus, it smells really really good.
4. Roll the Oranges - Rolling the oranges a little before slicing and then juicing will actually help to produce more fresh orange juice when squeezed.

The Ingredient List

1. All-Purpose Flour: The bread flour is the backbone of good bread, giving it structure while keeping it tender.
2. Baking Powder: The secret to that beautiful rise, ensuring your loaf is light and airy.
3. Salt: Enhances the flavor by balancing the sweetness and citrus notes.
4. Sugar: Adds sweetness without overshadowing the tangy blood orange flavor.
5. Avocado Oil: A healthier alternative to butter, keeping the loaf moist without making it heavy.
6. Milk: Helps create a smooth batter and adds richness to the loaf.
7. Vanilla Extract: A flavor booster that complements the citrus and adds a hint of warmth.
8. Orange Juice and Zest: The star ingredients that bring bold, tangy flavor and a vibrant aroma.
9. Poppy Seeds: These tiny seeds add a nutty flavor and delightful crunch, making every bite interesting.

Recipe Swaps and Substitutions

• I really love blood orange in this, but if you're not a fan, you can simply use regular navel oranges, or just lemon, like in my lemon poppy seed loaf.
• Swap out the flour for a 1:1 gluten free flour.
• You can use coconut sugar instead of the cane sugar. I've made it this way before and it still came out fabulous.

How to make orange poppy seed loaf

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350º and line a loaf pan with parchment and nonstick spray. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, oil, and milk with a whisk until the eggs are full incorporated.  In the same bowl, add in the orange juice and zest. Whisk to combine.

Step 2: Pour in the flour, baking powder, salt, and using a spatula begin to fold the flour into the wet ingredients. Be careful not to overmix, just fold until the last of the dry ingredients are incorporated, then stop.

Step 3: Sprinkle the poppy seeds into the batter and fold them in until evenly distributed. This step ensures every slice has that satisfying crunch. Let the batter rest for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4: Pour in the batter into the pan. Place in the oven to bake for 55-60 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. The loaf is done baking when the toothpick comes out clean and has a golden brown top.

Orange Poppy Seed Loaf FAQs